Page 98 of The Sweetest Thing
“Ha ha.” His father stood. “I can make a mean peanut butter and jelly sandwich.”
“I’m good.” Leif stopped him. “Seriously, what’s happening?”
“Well, I’m hungry.” Their father started making sandwiches.
“We’re trying to figure out how to fix things with our finances.” Dane didn’t see any point in sugarcoating it. “We—as in, you have a say-so. Have a seat.”
Leif sat, wary. “Okay.” He didn’t look any more at ease after Dane and his father had filled him in on their plans.
Their father set a plate of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on the table and sat. “Who knows, maybe we’ll win the honey contest.” His father chuckled. “Wouldn’t that be a hoot?”
Dane shook his head. “No, sir. Honey Hill Farms needs this win. Even if we won, it’d still be their win.”
His father stopped chewing to ask, “When did you start caring so much about the Hills?”
“When I fell in love with Tansy.” Dane grabbed a sandwich. “Not that she’ll have anything to do with me.”
“You didn’t help.” Leif scowled at his father. “Tansy would never have started a fire. Or Astrid.”
“I had no idea.” His father looked truly stunned.
“Even if Dane wasn’t crushing on Tansy, you yelling accusations at them like that wasn’t cool. People were listening.” Leif took a sandwich.
“I know.” Their father stared at Leif. “What makes you so sure they didn’t start the fire?”
“Because I trust them.” Leif swallowed. “And because I did it.”
Dane waited, bracing for his father’s likely explosion.
“I was with the Dwyer boys, getting drunk because you want to send me to military school. And smoking.” Leif watched his father the whole time he was talking. “It was an accident but I was so mad... I still am. I’m sorry about the fire, though.”
His father studied Leif for a long time, then ran a hand over his face. “I don’t want you drinking, you hear? But if you do, you do it right here so Dane or I can keep an eye on you. That fire... Seeing you two took a good ten years off my life.” He took a sandwich. “I guess I owe those young ladies an apology.”
They ate the entire plate of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in silence.
“I appreciate the meal and the company.” Their father cleaned up and headed up the stairs.
Leif leaned back, looking up the stairs in the direction their father had gone. “What the hell was that?”
“Our dad.” Dane ruffled Leif’s hair. “I guess some kid said something that made him realize he was being an asshole.” He smiled at his little brother. “It gave him the kick in the pants to want to be better.”
“Huh.” Leif shrugged, glancing Dane’s way. “You’re not going to give up on her? Tansy, I mean?”
Dane stood, stretching. “No. I’m not. Like I’m not going to give up on you. But I’m too tired to think, so I’m going to bed. I’ll figure something out.” Tomorrow was the honey contest and the Hills had a lot riding on it. He’d wait until that was over and done with before talking to her. Assuming she would talk to him. He’d keep trying, what else could he do?
“I won’t give up.” He loved her, that wasn’t ever going to change.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
TANSYWASAball of nerves. Aunt Camellia, who was clinging to her hand, was no better. It wasn’t just the contest, it was Dane. Would he be here? Would she be able to do this? She swallowed, but the knot in her throat didn’t budge.
“It’s so crowded.” Astrid shaded her eyes as she took in the group gathered around the stage.
“There’s a lot on the line.” Tansy watched as the judges filed onto the stage, her gaze sweeping the crowd. No Dane. Not yet.
“People have come from all over for this one.” Aunt Mags pushed her sunglasses up and went back to fanning herself with a bright green Healthy & Wholesome Markets paper fan. “Everyone wants a shot at that kind of money.”
Meaning the competition would be stiffer than ever.
